Aelin kicked the autumn leaves impatiently. Her parents had been so busy since they had arrived in this strange kingdom, always in one meeting or another, talking to the dark haired woman who sat on the big throne, with cruel taunting eyes. At five years, Aelin wanted to spend her days playing in the woods and reading those books her parents had given her, not travelling to all these different places and meeting the haughty royals who looked at her like a chess piece to be used. Naturally, as a small child, Aelin's main thoughts were of her family and hr home and her favourite thoughts and she wanted it to stay that way, she didn't want all of these new pressures.

Jumping into an especially large pile of crunchy brown leaves, Aelin huffed once more, wishing she had someone to play with. They had been in the palace for over a week, and usually she played with Quinn, the Captian of the Guard, who was like family to her, but today he had gone to the meeting with her parents, leaving her with the guards whose main priority was keeping her safe, not playing games. For the millionth time since they'd arrived, Aelin wished her cousin and best friend Aedion had been able to accompany them. She knew that he had wanted to come, but her uncle Orlon had refused. It was warm, for Autumn, and Aelin had spent most of her time in the gardens of the castle, since she realised that she had forgotten most of the children's books that she had packed.

Glancing back at the guards, always a few paces away, Aelin made up her mind. She wanted to have some fun, and wanted to explore without being shepherded by the guards, who she'd never been able to shake since she'd first learned to walk. Luckily, from somewhere in the castle, there came a loud crash, likely something falling over or something, and Aelin used the momentary distraction of the guards to dart into the small patch of trees, grabbing a low branch and supressing her giggles as she heard the small gasps of her guards. This was fun, almost like hide and seek. Almost losing her balance from where she perched on one of the branches, Aelin gripped one of the stronger twigs, and looked at the small drop below her. Logically, it wouldn't hurt her, but as a five year old, it seemed like a very long way. Still, she wouldn't be deterred, and settled herself into the tree, aware that her guards had vanished, likely looking for her in all the wrong places.

A few moments passed, and Aelin was just starting to feel bored when a ripe green apple caught her eye, just out of reach. Licking her lips and feeling her stomach growl, despite her large breakfast just an hour previously. Leaning for the apple, Aelin held the branch with one hand and stretched her small arm out as far as she possibly could. Her fingers grazed the cold exterior of the apple, and triumph lit up the young princess' eyes, and she would have grabbed it right then, had she not been interrupted by voices beneath her. Stilling and holding her breath, Aelin waited for what she guessed were guards to pass, but when the deep voices approached closer, Aelin frowned. The first voice sounded almost familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"Come on, brother. You know better than to question Maeve's motives." Aelin's teeth clenched at the queen's name, but she didn't know why. The voice was gentle and kind, but the one that followed it was what made Aelin start.

"Yes, but them. We have no need of their alliance, and our only threat is the child." The voice was like a song, and it was what Aelin thought the voice in her head sounded like. It was an answer to a question that she hadn't even asked yet, and something about it made her smile. Her smile faded however as she heard his next words. "Why bring Evalin and Rhoe Galathnius to Doranelle, and why not tell us that she was going to?" Aelin couldn't hold in her gasp; those were her parents, why was the man with the magical voice talking about her parents? Shocked, Aelin lost her grip on the branch beneath her and with a short thump fell to the ground below, felling the scratches of the twigs and leaves as she did so.

Thudding to the ground, a dazed princess sat on the grass of the clearing she was now in. Parts of her hurt, and she might have cried had she not checked to see what was causing a shadow over her. Two large Fae warriors stood side by side, staring down at the princess with their mouths hanging open, and it was their presence that caused Aelin to scramble to her feet and stare them down, frowning. Both males were tall and well built, and their expressions seemed to mirror each other at the moment. Unable to help herself, Aelin began to laugh, more of a bellow, her father's laugh. They just looked more astounded and this made her laugh harder, they looked like fish standing with their mouths open like that. Forgetting all about the conversation the males had just been having, Aelin laughed and laughed until their expressions finally returned to normal. Then, she wiped a tear from her eyes and failed to rub some of the dirt off of her dress.

No-one said anything, until Aelin once more met their gazes.

"Who are you?" The blonde one said, his voice gentle and soft, like the first one she had heard. Fully taking in his features now that he no longer seemed stunned, Aelin frowned, not answering his question.

"Let's say I'm a fallen angel." Her words were thoughtful, and she almost laughed at herself. Teressan's court had always said she had a unique sense of humour, and now she could put it to use on these fascinating Fae. "Who are you?" Her voice was defensive, but she was really interested. She had never met anyone like them before, not in Teressan, or anywhere else she had visited. The blonde one spoke again.

"I am Gavriel, and this is Rowan," he explained referring to his friend, who remained stunned, looking like her had been shot. She was on the verge of asking of he was ok, when Gavriel continued. "What were you doing falling out of that tree? Who are you?" She once more ignored the later question, enjoying herself far too much now. Aprroaching the warrior, she continued absent-mindedly.

"I told you, I wasn't in a tree, I fell from heaven." Reaching up and gripping a piece of the long blonde hair, Aelin looked deeply into the eyes of Gavriel. "You look just like my cousin." That was what seemed familiar about him she realised. His face hardened and his brows furrowed in confusion, as he stepped away from the little girl. She too frown, she hadn't meant to upset him, it had just been an observation. About to say so, Aelin was cut off by the other male. Rowan, Gavriel had called him.

"Who's your cousin?" She grinned, unable to help herself, at the sound of his voice, and at the weird pull she had towards him. Maybe now she would have someone to play with whilst she was here. Meeting his pine green eyes, Aelin wandered towards him.

"My cousin looks just like me, except not quite as pretty, and he is a few years older. He is teaching me to fight." She said the last bit triumphantly, proud to establish herself as a warrior amongst these soldiers. It had been the right thing to say, because the silver haired one smiled down at her openly.

"Is that so?" She nodded vigorously, and smiled again. "What are you doing in the palace gardens?" That was good, she thought, then he must not know who she was.

"As I told your brother, I wasn't in the gardens, I fell from heaven."

"Oh, of course. I forgot." He added with a cheeky smile and a small wink that made her giggle. "And why were you falling from heaven?" His question reminded her of her loneliness before she had climbed into the tree, and she wished once more that Aedion were here to meet these funny men with her. The blonde one was now gaping at his brother, but she didn't mind. She had a weird urge to talk to Rowan anyway, wanted to be friends with him. Her expression clouded.

"I was looking for someone to play with." Her words were quieter now, and began to kick up the leaves beneath her feet once more. Rowan continued, his voice softer.

"Why can't your cousin play with you?" Aelin shrugged, but something in his voice made her want to answer him.

"He's very far away, and I might not see him or play with him for a while." She supressed the tears collecting in her eyes now, but they vanished when Rowan sat down on the ground in front of her, his legs crossed and hands playing with the leaves.

'Maybe, one day, I can play with you?" Smiling once more, Aelin nodded and handed him the prettiest leaf she could find.

"We're friends now." The confidence with which she said it made Rowan chortle, and the sound was the most beautiful thing Aelin had ever heard. "Maybe, one day, if my cousin comes here, Aedion can play with us too." Aelin said, hunting for more leaves, but still noticing Rowan tense up, and Gavriel's short gasp. "What?"

It was at that moment that voices came close to the clearing, but Aelin made no move towards them, wanting to know what had made her companions freeze. Still, when Quinn emerged from the small cluster of trees and into the clearing, where he eyes the two Fae males and his princess, Aelin smiled and waved. Quinn strode over and knelt beside Aelin.

"We have to go now, Princess. Your parents are worried about you." Aelin frowned, wanting to stay with her friends, but after a second her expression cleared, and she stood, whilst Rowan remained frozen on the floor, looking up at her, his eyes not leaving her face.

"Quinn, these are my new friends, Gavriel and Rowan." His name sounded beautiful on her lips. "This is Quinn, my uncle's Captain of the Guard, and my other friends who sometimes plays with me in the gardens." She beamed between the three males, but their expression remained unchanged, until Quinn's eyes settled on Rowan, and his face turned outraged.

"Aelin, come on, we have to go." He took her hand in his, and waited for her to walk out of the clearing with him.

"Oh, can I have a piggy back. I cut my knee when I fell from the tree." She had almost forgotten about it until now, but Quinn obediently bent down and let her clamour onto his back, before striding off. Quinn was like an uncle to her, and though she knew she could be annoying, she knew that he loved her. Clutching to her friend with one arm, Aelin waved to the pair in the clearing with the other, calling over her shoulder. "It was nice to meet you. I can't wait to play together." Then she turned back, burying her head in Quinn's neck, tired from her morning adventures. Still, she wondered why both Gavriel and Rowan had looked quite so stunned. Yes, she was the princess of Teressan, but that couldn't be it. Maybe she would ask the next time she saw them.

When Aelin arrived back at her rooms, she was still thinking about the male with the silver hair. She didn't know why, but she felt like she knew him already, like she could tell him anything, like he would be her friend forever. Practically skipping down the corridor, Aelin dragged along an unusually quiet Quinn, who disappeared as soon as they reached her rooms, leaving her with the guards and claiming that he had some urgent news to present at the mysterious meeting that was occurring. Her thoughts were too far away to be put out though, and her mind remained in the clearing she had met Rowan in. She wondered what his position was in the castle, and why he had looked so shocked when he found out who she really was, since she doubted he really believed she was a fallen angel. Would he not play with her if she was a princess. Aelin frowned and settled into the corner of her room staring out of the window. She would make it her mission to find Rowan again and demand what was wrong. After all, she had nothing better to do whilst they were here and there was something about him.

Later that night, as Aelin snuggled into the covers that felt wrong and unfamiliar. This whole stone palace felt wrong, and Aelin longed for her home Teressan. The door creaked open and her father perched on the side of her bed, a small candle illuminating the room and his kind, but tired features. He smoothed her hair and she smiled up at him, but his face remained troubled. "What is it, papa?" His frown remained, but his eyes sparkled at the concern in his daughter's voice.

"Nothing, my darling." She frowned at him, now, demanding a proper answer. "This trip is taking a lot out of me, and your mother too." Her confusion was only growing.

"Why, papa?" He chuckled at the command in her voice, to be included, as though being let in on a special secret.

"There are delicate matters concerning Maeve, dearest. Concerning you too." He continued to smooth her hair as he explained, and she leaned into the warmth of his touch. "You have a very powerful magic within you, Aelin, and some people in the world will view you as a threat." Aelin flinched at the words.

"I wouldn't hurt anyone." Her words were quiet, but Rhoe knew them already.

"I know that, but some people don't. And some people, like Queen Maeve want to use your power for themselves, to train you and make you their weapon." Aelin didn't like the thought of that at all. She was her own self, she belonged to her kingdom and her family, and no one else. Rhoe's hushed voice suggested his agreement with his daughter.

"Why don't we just say no? Say no and leave Doranelle, go home." Rhoe sighed and looked at the candle flickering, sending beautiful shadows licking up the walls. Like many children, Aelin hated the dark, but she had the power to defeat it. Her innocent smile, and clear mind made Rhoe send a warm smile down to the princess.

"It's more complicated than that, my darling. Don't you fret over it, you'll understand it all one day. Until then, you should put it out of your mind." Tucking up the sheets, Rhoe made to leave the room, but Aelin spoke once more.

"I met a very nice male today in the gardens. We're going to be friends. He has very pretty hair and nice green eyes. You should meet him, papa. Maybe you could be friends as well." She smiled at the thought, but then her smile faded. She didn't want to share Rowan with anyone. Luckily, her father didn't seem too keen on the idea, anyway. He stiffened and clenched his jaw.

"You met this male in the gardens? You're going to be friends?" Not understanding his cold tone, Aelin simply nodded and rolled onto her side.

"Yes, he's called Rowan." The very name brought a smile to her lips, and her father watched her grin.

"I'm glad you have a new friend, my brave Aelin. Now sleep well. Soon, we will be home in Teressan." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead, and quickly exited the room. Drifting to sleep, Aelin's last thoughts were of the pine green eyes that reminded her of home.

Rhoe paced in his room that sat across from his daughter's. Evalin, his beloved wife, sat on the bed, her troubled expression mirrored in the face of her husband.

"She met him, then. She met her mate." Evalin's words were slow, and thoughtful, as though she were trying to figure out a puzzle. Watching her husband frantically pacing across the large rug, she bit her lip. "Does she know who he is?" Shaking his head, Rhoe paused, closing his eyes.

"No, no she doesn't." It sounded almost like defeat, and Evalin came to stand beside him, holding his own large hands in her own. There had been a time when he thought that they could get through anything as long as they were together, but now with Aelin and Maeve…He missed the days when it had all been easier than this, though he would give up anything, any ease and happiness, if it kept his daughter safe and happy. She was like a bright light that guided him through, and he loved her and her mother more than he ever thought it possible to love anyone. Looking deep into the Ashryver eyes of his wife, Rhoe searched for the answer. "She's only five years old, Ev. She barely knows what a mate is, and now she has to give up everything to save hers. It isn't fair." The words he spoke was the truth that they had both known since the first glimmers of her power as a baby. Maeve hadn't told them why they were to come and see her, only that if they didn't they would regret it. Fearing war, the pair had come to Doranelle, along with the Captain of the Guard and their daughter, but what they had learned when they had arrived was worse. Maeve had taken a special interest in their Aelin, which was not unexpected, but they hadn't known what she had held over them. For years, she had been waiting for this opportunity, and now they dangled the mate of their only child over their heads like bait. How could they take away that chance at true happiness from their daughter? It was only worse now that she had met him, already she sounded like she cared for him greatly. He would be whatever she needed, a friend for now, one day her true love. He was her mate.

"We'll meet with Maeve tomorrow, and this time we'll demand to meet the male as well." Still, Rhoe looked downcast, and she placed a soft hand on his cheek, meeting his eyes. "We owe this male nothing. Our Aelin can find love without a mate. If worse comes to worst, we will do what has to be done. We will always pick our daughter." Though he knew it was true, they both knew that not saving the mate of Aelin would be one of the worst things they would ever do. Still, as the couple slept, their thoughts were only of the safety of their daughter. They would not be played this way; no one, least of all Maeve, owned their fireheart.

"This is why you brought them here. To use me against them!" Rowan's words echoed across the marble walls of the throne room, and his Queen waved a hand and the councilmen, who looked scared for their lives, scuttled from the room. Rowan was fuming. He had known from the moment that the child had fallen from the tree who she was. Not that she was the princess, but that she was his mate. Hs true mate. How was that possible? Lyria, Lyria had been his mate. This all had to be some mistake, and still his instincts screamed the words to him as those turquoise and gold eyes stared up at him, as she laughed at their expressions. Mate. Mate. Mate. Maeve simply watched in amusement as Rowan stormed across the room, stopping the foot of the steps. Gavriel had followed him, his face confused and worried for the safety of his brother. Rowan barely noticed. All he needed was answers, and he was going to get them.

"You might need to explain yourself, Rowan. I'm not sure I understand your meaning." He wanted to spit at her fake expression, at the small taunting smile. She just wanted to hear him say it. Gritting his teeth, to stop his launching himself at her, Rowan continued.

"Rhoe and Evalin Galathnius. You summoned them to Doranelle so that they would allow you to train their daughter. We all wondered why? Yes, the child was supposed to be powerful, but why would her parents let you train her? Your using the fact that I'm her…that she's my…" He couldn't say the words, not after everything that had happened. Maeve smiled in triumph at the success of the little game that he had played with him.

"You mate?" The word made Rowan flinch. "Fine, you were to know soon enough. I have been waiting for a long, long time for Aelin Ashryver Galathnius to come into the world. Hundreds of years. Her entire life, her power, her family, had been fated long before you were even alive Rowan. I knew that when the day came that I wanted to wield Aelin as my own weapon, I would need something to hold over her, then you came along. The perfect bait. Rowan Whitehorn, the mate of Aelin Ashryver Galathnius. Still, how was I going to control you. I needed to break you, break you so that when she finally arrived, I would have the perfect solution. That's where Lyria come in. It wasn't difficult to tug on your blood oath and make you believe she was your mate. After that it was only a matter of send the right soldiers to the right mountain." Rowan bared his teeth and jumped. He would kill her for this, what she had done to him, to Lyria, what she wanted to do to his mate. His hands were centimetres from the dark queen's face when darkness met him. When his eyes opened once more, he was kneeling on the cold marble of the throne room, staring up at the queen, constricted by darkness. Prowling towards him, Maeve tutted and placed a sharp nail under his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. He didn't see the hand coming before she stuck him across the face. As she sauntered back to her throne, a slow burning ebbed at Rowan's jaw, spreading up his cheek. "Now, I have everything in place. Tomorrow, we shall have another meeting and you will attend. You will be your charming self," she laughed, "and show the royals exactly the kind of man that deserves to be the mate of one of the most powerful beings in the world. You will be the reason that they have no choice but to leave their child in my care, unless they never want her to see her mate again. You shouldn't try to fight it, Rowan. This has been my intention for over three centuries and you have but 24 hours. Do as I have told you." That strong tug on the blood oath had Rowan standing and exiting the chambers. In just a few hours, his entire life had been turned upside down. Gavriel's voice followed him back to his rooms, and his brother stayed with him long through the night, but all of Rowan's thoughts remained with the young princess who was somewhere in the castle sleeping at this very moment.

The next morning, nothing was different. Aelin's parents rushed of quickly after breakfast, and once more, Quinn went with them. Aelin had read all of her books, and had even thought over some of her lessons. Still, all morning, a familiar ache had spread through her fingers, and she kept her fists clenched to keep from letting go. At least in Doranelle, she couldn't damage the building itself, but there were plenty of other things in this room that would burn, and there were still people she could hurt. She wanted her parents, or Quinn or Aedion, or anything to distract her from the power sparking at her fingertips. Rain pounded against the window frame, and as Aelin looked out over the gardens, her eyes rested upon a small clearing surrounded by apple trees. Smiling, Aelin bounded from the room. She didn't have to spend her day alone again; she could find Rowan, and spend the day with him.

The long marble corridors were unusually empty, and Aelin missed the bustle and the community of Teressan's palace. Still, she kept going, trying to find anyone who might be able to tell her where she could find him. Winding through the halls, working mainly of instinct, but unconsciously following the tug of her mating bond. Finally, Aelin arrived at a large set of double doors and she heard voices inside. First a cruel, powerful voice that made Aelin cringe sounded, followed by the voices of her parents. Was this the meeting that they were attending? She knew that she should return to her rooms, and that maybe Rowan would find her there, but Aelin couldn't resist the urge to enter and find out what was happening. Pushing open the double doors and slipping through the small crack that she had created, Aelin was proud of the stealth at which she had entered, but it didn't stop every head in the room turning towards her. Holding her head up, Aelin refused to cower, and she approached where her parents stood in front of the throne. She would, or couldn't, look upon the dark queen on the throne, instead staring up at her parents, and waiting to hear what would happen next. Her mother dropped to her level, however, and began to speak in a calm voice, but Aelin could still hear the worry lacing her tone.

"Aelin, I thought we told you to stay in your room." Her tone wasn't chiding, but Aelin could tell her mother didn't want her here, and she fought the disappointment that flooded her. "Don't worry," Evalin continued. "Quinn will take you back." Aelin's eyes flicked to the smiling Captain of the Guard, but even his usual easy smile seemed strained. Still, if this was what her parents wanted, she could hardly argue, and she didn't want to show them up in front of this new enemy, or ally, or whoever Maeve was to them. Stepping forwards to take Quinn's outstretched hand, Aelin noticed a glimmer of silver in her periphery vision, and turned her head to the foot of the dais. There stood Rowan, seeming stricken, and glancing between the visitors from Teressan. When she met his face, however, it seemed like the only open and normal thing in the room, and so she walked slowly over to him, and smiled up.

"I came to see if you wanted to play." Rowan opened his mouth, as though to agree, but was cut off by her father.

"Aelin." It sounded like a warning, but Aelin didn't understand.

"What's wrong, papa?" Her brow was furrowed, but then she glanced between him and Rowan and smiled. "Oh, sorry. This is Rowan. Rowan, this is Rhoe Galathnius and Evalin Galathnius." She spoke her parents' names proudly and looked at the expressions of the three of them. Rowan smiled at her innocent expression and the way she had so quickly commanded control of the room, but it soon passed as he remember his role. This perfect, proud, brave girl was his mate, and he would never really get the chance to know her. Still, she deserved some kind of explanation and if no one else would give it to her, then he would try.

"Yes, I know." He murmured, and Aelin once more turned to him, now looking confused.

"Rowan." The voice was like the shadows that Aelin hid from, and spoke in an utterly controlling way, and Aelin decided that she didn't like the owner of the voice very much. Maeve spoke the name of her friend as though she owned him, and Aelin couldn't help but see the pained expression as Maeve ordered him to stop speaking, and he looked down at her with sorrow in his eyes. Maeve walked down the grand steps leading to the dais and approached the princess, a cunning smile spreading across her face as she knelt in front of the child.

"Hello, Aelin. It's nice to see you again." Aelin didn't like the way she said the wrds, as though they would spend a lot more time together, and his herself behind Rowan's leg, and breathing in his scent of pine and snow, that reminded her of home. She would be safe as long as she stayed with him. Watching Aelin lean into Rowan for protection, Maeve let out a demented laugh and spun back to Aelin's parents. "See, she already feels the bond. How can you take away your child's best friend, her mate, before she even has the chance to know him." Aelin didn't understand and tried desperately to process all of the words. She just wanted to go and play with Rowan, maybe show him how good she was at reading; she didn't want to stay in this court room with the scary queen and her parents acting strange, looking at her with such pity. She wanted to tell Rowan this, and maybe he would come with her, so she reached her arms up, in a silent command for him to pick her up so she could tell him. Rowan glanced down at her, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes at her order, but tried to resist picking her up, for both of their sakes. They could not become attached.

"Aelin." Her mother spoke this time, and the warning in her voice made Aelin step closer to Rowan and stretch her arms up higher.

"Up." She was annoyed now, she just wanted to leave. The feeling passed however, when Rowan's strong arms gripped her and hauled her into the air. She rested on the side of his hip, and as she whispered her request to leave, his silver hair tickled her cheek. Her parents let out a short gasp, as though seeing them together for the first time, and Aelin glanced at them with confusion. Aelin beamed however when she turned back to meet Rowan's deep pine green eyes. Then, as though something clicked into place between them, Aelin's eyes widened and she laughed. The word was so perfect, and she didn't know why it sounded funny. Still, she smiled widely as she announced it. "Mate."

As though the word had rippled in the room, the characters swept into action. Quinn lunged forwards, grabbing Aelin from Rowan's arms, so fast that she couldn't cling on. Reaching over the Captain of the Guard's shoulders, Aelin let out a small cry of protest, but Quinn just gripped her harder, before handing her to her father, whose arms wrapped around her in a protective manner. Rowan was staring at Aelin as though the rest of the room had disappeared and she couldn't bring herself to look away, even when her mother's hands began to stroke her hair. She didn't understand, why was everyone acting so strange. Right now, the only safe place in the room was standing with Rowan but they weren't letting her do that. And worst of all was the malicious grin the had spread across the dark queen's face.

"Well, now that we've settled that." The words broke the tension that seemed to be rippling from everyone in the room, and Aelin met her dark eyes, searching for the answer there. What was going on? "The child has confirmed it." Aelin didn't like how she was being referred to, like an object, not a person. "They're mates." Despite herself, and the way her father tensed beneath her, Aelin smiled, and peered at Rowan from her father's shoulder, who still looked stricken, and strangely wistful. Like he had just lost someone. "Now then, let's see what you would do to protect this male, your daughter's future." Aelin's father tightened his jaw, and stared down Maeve.

"Your threats don't scare us, Maeve. You wouldn't do anything to hurt one of your own blood sworn." Maeve, smiled and flicked her eyebrows up, in challenge.
"I'm disappointed. I thought you would have learned not to underestimate me." Strutting over to where Rowan stood, who was keeping his eyes fixed on Aelin before flicking them to the approaching queen. "Rowan." She said his name like an order, and placed a slim hand on his arm. As Aelin heard the scrape of steel against a sheath, she snapped her head to her mother who let out a sharp gasp. Maeve, turned to them, smiling. "What? Do you want me to stop? Because I will, if you just promise one little thing." Evalin growled.

"Not for anything would we sign over our daughter's life to you." She walked over to Aelin and forced her to look away from Rowan, who held his knife in front of him. It made no sense to Aelin. Who did Maeve want him to hurt? Feeling her mother's warm hand against her face, she met the turquoise and gold eyes, that looked furious. "Go to your room, Aelin. Quinn will take you." Her father placed her down on the floor, and Quinn held her hand, tightly, but gently, pulling her from the room. She could no longer see what was happening, but she heard her mother's steely voice, clipped with grief. "Go ahead." Aelin tried to spin to see what she was referring to, to see if maybe she could beckon Rowan to follow her and they could go and play in the garden, but Quinn's grip held tight and she was unable to turn at all.

Then, from behind them, came a small groan and Aelin struggled desperately to see what was happening, enough so that she managed to turn, only to see Rowan meet her eyes, and fall to his knees with a loud crack, still clutching the dagger to his stomach. Feeling something inside her snapping, Aelin let out a desperate cry and scrambled from the Captain of the Guard's grip, and sprinted across the room, past her parents and the dark queen, skidding to the floor beside the dying male. He smiled softly up at her, despite his blood that already matted through his silver hair, that she had already grown to love. Seeing it crimson stained before her caused her to begin to softly cry, but she angrily wiped her tears away, and stood, grabbing Rowan's arm.

"Come on, you said that we could go and play." Aelin tugged slightly, refusing to give into accept what was happening. "Come on, Rowan. Let's go and play!" Still, her stubborn voice bounced across the marble walls, whilst the rest of the room held their breaths. Rowan just shook his head, and held Aelin's tiny hand in his large calloused one.

"No, Aelin. I'm sorry." Aelin returned to his side, gripping his hand in her own, not wanting to let go. The words were the worst things she had ever heard.

"But you said we would play. You were supposed to come to Teressan and teach me to fight and meet Aedion. Please, Rowan." He smiled up at her again, though it was pained and the attempt at happiness only made her cry harder.

"It's ok, you can play with Aedion, and I'm sure that there are plenty of people in Teressan who can teach you to fight." Aelin cried, and waited for someone, for anyone to tell her that it was going to be ok. Instead, a tall Fae male stormed into the room, falling to his knees at the sight of Rowan on the floor, and Gavriel ran in behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder, and bowing his head. Aelin didn't care, she refused to care about anything aside from Rowan in front of her. Her mate, Rowan. She didn't even know what that word meant yet, what their bond meant, and yet she could already feel it breaking. Maeve's voice sounded from above her, though the dark queen's eyes remained on Aelin's parents.

"Do you see what you've done? What you've taken from her?" The tear that fell down his father's cheek made bury bubble up inside of Aelin and she stepped away from Rowan, standing before Maeve, flame flickering at her fingertips.

"They didn't do this. You did this. You took him from me. This is your fault." Aelin was screaming now; she didn't care about court etiquette, she only cared about Rowan and the growing ache in her chest. Rowan reached out for the young girl from where he lay, groaning.

"Aelin." It wasn't a reprimand, but a plea, a plea for her to go to him, so that he could look at her once more. Her anger having flooded out of her, Aelin raced to Rowan's side and tucked her head into his chest, crying softly.

"Why does it hurt so much, Rowan? Why am I breaking?" She breathed the words, so that only he could hear them. Shifting beneath her, Rowan lifted his head, making her face him.

"You'll be ok, Aelin. You'll be more than ok, you'll be magnificent. I'm only sorry that I won't get to see it." Aelin wiped away his tear with her hand, and it looked so small against his face. Flicking his eyes to the dark queen behind her, Rowan's eyes narrowed. "Don't ever sign your life away to anyone, not for anything. Do not let that light go out, Fireheart." Aelin didn't know how he knew that name, the name that her parents called her, but on his lips, it sounded perfect, like a prayer. Knowing that that was his goodbye, Aelin clutched Rowan harder, not caring about the blood that pooled beneath her, staining her dress and hands and face, from where she had wiped away her own tears. This wasn't supposed to be the end, she could feel it. They were supposed to have years and years, they were supposed to rattle the stars. Aelin didn't know where the thoughts had come from, but she held onto them, reaching down into herself for the small part of her power that healed, that water droplet that she had gotten from her mother. Willing it to save the life in front of her, to give her those years with Rowan, Aelin clenched her eyes shut, and held on. Voices sounded around her, but she drowned them out focussing on her task.

A small gasp came from beneath her, and Aelin's eyes snapped open. Pine green eyes met her own, and Aelin's tears dried up, as she let out an excited squeal, barely giving him time to sit up before flinging herself into his arms. The room around her was a series of gasps and yells, but she breathed in Rowan's scent and knew that it would be ok now, as long as he was with her. And yet, before she could even tell him that, strong arms were gripping her once more, pulling her away from him. She couldn't bring herself to do anything but smile though, despite her rage at having been pulled away from him. Her mother looked down at her with bewilderment, and glanced between her daughter and Rowan, who was now standing, blinking at his lack of pain, of weakness. It was as though nothing had happened at all. Why wasn't she allowed to be next to Rowan anymore? She had saved him, he was better. Aelin didn't struggle though; knowing that he was ok was enough. No, she didn't struggle until Maeve broke the silence in the room, pulling a dagger from her belt.

"I guess if you want something doing properly, you have to do it yourself." Aelin blinked, taking in what she was about to do, imploring one of the strong males who had cried for Rowan moments before to save him now, but they seemed frozen, unable to help. As Maeve neared Rowan, Aelin surged away from her mother, and ran in front of him, in between the dark queen and her mate.

"No." She didn't yell, she didn't cry, she just stated it. It was a fact, Rowan would live. Nothing Maeve wanted to do could thwart that. Maeve looked at the young girl, startled. It took a moment, but then a deep chuckle, identical to Aelin's own laugh, echoed from across the room. Aelin's eyes widened, as did everyone else's in the room, as they took in Rhoe Galathnius laughing hysterically at the dark queen and the five-year-old before her, clutching his sides. Confused and desperate to be let in on the joke, Aelin questioned, "What, papa?" He attempted to smother his laugh with his hand, but his words were broken and his shoulders shook.

"It's just, she wants to hurt him to get you, but she can't hurt him without killing you. She's stuck." Despite everything on the line, Aelin's own laugh joined her father's and soon after, her mother's melodic one. The court of Doranelle watched the Teressan royals, stunned into silence, and the laughing didn't subside, even when Maeve made her order.

"Get out." Her voice only made them laugh more, and it maddened her. "Everyone out." The three blood sworn members of the court leapt to their feet as though they were being chased by white hot branding irons, but Aelin staggered after them, still giggling, and her parents and Quinn followed her, trying, and failing to compose themselves.

Grateful for being free of that hateful throne room, Aelin looked up at her now serious parents. Her father and mother seemed stunned, but Quinn placed a hand on her cheek.

"Good job, princess." He laughed. She grinned up at him, and then her thoughts returned to the most pressing matter at hand. Rowan. Spinning round, to see where the three males stood at the other end of the corridor, Aelin beamed. Hurtling across the space, not caring about the two males hugging him, the males let go at the exact right moment and she threw herself into her arms, laughing happily. The shock on his face was evident, but as he spun her around and wrapped his arms around her, it melted away into pure happiness. Finally, they stopped spinning, but she refused to break his gaze. Rowan slowly leaned in and kissed her forehead gently, before leaning back and meeting her bright eyes once more.

"You are my hero, Fireheart." She liked the sound of that, and her smile broadened. She would have been happy to stay there forever, but a voice interrupted them.

"You are an enigma, Aelin Ashryver Galathnius." Releasing her grip on Rowan slightly, the prince put her down, not letting go of her hand. Turning to examine the unknown presence, Aelin stared into the eyes that reminded her immensely of a wolf she had chased through the gardens a few days ago. The male shot her a rogue grin, and she smiled back, unable to help herself. He kneeled before her then, and kissed the hand that wasn't holding Rowan's.

"Fenrys Moonbeam, at your service." Aelin scoffed at his surname, but looked up at Gavriel as well, who smiled at her with the same smile her cousin often gave her. Glancing between the two males, she composed herself.

"Well, you are immensely welcome for saving your friend." It was the males turn to scoff, and Aelin smiled, glad to be the centre of attention again. Still, she longed for Rowan's comforting hold, and that pine and snow scent that she associated with home. As though sensing her request, Rowan leaned down and swept her up once more, leading to a squeal of delight and her eyes returned to his. "I'm very glad I saved you, because now you can come back to Teressan with me and meet Aedion and live in the palace forever and ever." Rowan's cheerful expression seemed to flicker for a moment and the quiet joy in his eyes was more subdued. Aelin didn't notice, however, instead glancing down the hall where her parents and Quinn watched them. Evalin still seemed worried and Quinn's hand rested on his sword, but Rhoe was still grinning and gave Rowan a nod. Evalin whacked his arm for having provided some kind of permission, but he simply rolled his eyes at her, and walked in the direction of their room, murmuring to themselves. Aelin was quiet for a moment, just taking in the happiness of the situation, that to her seemed resolved, but was far from. "I'll let you carry me to my room and I'll show you how well I can read." Fenrys laughed at the command in her voice, but Rowan smiled at her softly.

"As you wish."